Sport

Harrington well in the hunt

PADRAIG HARRINGTON fired a flawless five-under-par 67 to move to just four shots off the early leader, Alex Cejka, at the halfway…

Sat Feb 13 2010 - 00:00

PADRAIG HARRINGTON fired a flawless five-under-par 67 to move to just four shots off the early leader, Alex Cejka, at the halfway mark in the ATT Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California yesterday.

Birdies at the second and sixth at Pebble Beach took Harrington to the turn in 34 and three more at the 11th, 15th and 18th on the back nine saw him post an eight-under-par total of 136.

On Spyglass Hill, Cejka, who opened with a 65, added a 67, which included six birdies, for a total of 10-under-par 132.

Given the abundance of birdies new course records are on. The low 18 at Pebble Beach is 62, shot by David Duval in 1997 and Tom Kite in 1983.

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Spyglass Hill’s record is also 62, shot by Luke Donal in 2006 and Phil Mickelson in 2005. The Shore course, which plays to a par 70, is new to the rotation so the 65s turned in Thursday by Vijay Singh, Jeff Maggert, Blake Adams, Alex Cejka, Kevin Streelman and Bo Van Pelt are the early pace-setters.

Meanwhile, officials from the USGA and Ping met in Dallas this week to discuss the use of Ping Eye2 clubs on the Tour.

“We met with representatives from Ping yesterday,” USGA president Jim Hyler said in a statement. “Our conversation with Ping regarding the status of the Ping Eye2 irons on the major professional American tours was productive, and we are hopeful that a solution can be found that respects and reflects the best interests of golfers and the game.”

Ping chairman and chief executive John Solheim added in a statement: “We had a productive meeting with the USGA yesterday regarding the Ping Eye2 groove debate on the PGA Tour. I’m encouraged by their willingness to openly discuss some of the challenges the golf industry faces relating to equipment issues.

“We left the meeting with an understanding we would continue to seek a solution that benefits golfers and acknowledges the importance innovation plays in the game.”

The Ping wedge has grooves that no longer conform under a new US Golf Association regulation, adopted by the PGA TOUR. However, any Ping wedge made before April 1st, 1990, is approved for play under a legal settlement from two decades ago.

Several players believe using the club goes against the spirit of the new grooves regulation.